Transparency Last updated or reviewed on April 27, 2026 Asheville Police Department Transparency and Data The Asheville Police Department is dedicated to being open and honest with the people of Asheville. We believe in sharing our data so that everyone can see how the department works. By providing this information, we give you the tools to learn more about how law enforcement operates in our city. Sharing this data helps build trust and a better understanding between community members and the police department. Public Transparency Dashboard The Asheville Police Department (APD) provides data dashboards for the community to learn more about current and historical crime conditions in our community. Access the Data Data dashboards are located on the Public Transparency Dashboard page, which includes: Crime Summary Dashboard: View summaries of current crime trends within the city. Crime Trends Dashboard: View historical and current crime patterns within the city. Traffic Stops Dashboard: Analyze data regarding police traffic stops, including demographic breakdowns. Gun Discharge Dashboard: Track incidents involving the discharge of firearms within city limits. Response to Resistance: View Data and graphs regarding officer interactions where force was used or displayed. Note: We are currently in the process of updating this dashboard to further improve its accessibility and user experience. Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) Dashboards The Asheville Police Department utilizes Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology to enhance public safety and investigative capabilities. ALPR technology helps law enforcement agencies solve crimes, locate at-risk individuals, and enhance public safety while adhering to policies that ensure responsible data use and privacy protections. We utilize two distinct systems, both of which offer public-facing dashboards to provide community access to relevant data. Select a system below to view its transparency dashboard: Axon ALPR Dashboard: This system integrates with in-car camera systems, providing real-time plate recognition and alerts directly to officers in the field. This system aids in identifying stolen vehicles, wanted suspects, and missing persons efficiently. Flock Safety ALPR Dashboard: This is a fixed-camera system designed for crime prevention and investigation. It allows agencies to analyze vehicle data, search historical records, and receive alerts on specific license plates linked to criminal activity. GIS Data Disclaimer The City of Asheville provides Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data “as is” to support public service and internal functions. Suitability: Data may not be suitable for all purposes or uses. Warranty: All GIS data sets are provided with no warranty. Verification: Users should consult primary sources, such as recorded deeds and plats, to verify accuracy. Responsibility: Users are responsible for verifying information before making decisions or taking action. Additional Crime Mapping Tools Local mapping tools SimpliCity (City of Asheville): Search any address within city limits to find localized crime statistics within a radius of 1/8 mile to 1 mile. Community Crime Map (LexisNexis): An interactive map featuring “heat maps” of local trends and the ability to sign up for automated neighborhood crime alerts. Asheville Open Data Portal: Access and download raw crime data in Excel, KML, or Shapefile formats for independent research. State and Federal Reporting Resources North Carolina Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR): State-level statistics including age, race, and sex of persons arrested (excluding traffic violations). FBI Crime Data Explorer (CDE): A national platform offering interactive visualizations and large-scale data downloads. FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS): Granular details on individual incidents, including victim-offender relationships and demographics. FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program Overview: The national standard for tracking long-term crime trends across the United States. Department Policies and Directives We make our operational standards available for public review. Browse APD Policies Online Request a Policy: If a specific policy is not listed, please email Samantha Booth at sbooth@ashevillenc.gov. Tips for Reading Policy Documents To assist with clarity and accessibility, please note the following formatting conventions: Updates: Recent changes to a policy are indicated by blue bold font. (We use both color and bolding to ensure this information is accessible to users with color vision deficiencies. Accreditation Codes: Numbers in brackets, such as [1.1.1], refer to official professional standards used during accreditation. Internal Links: Links within policy PDFs to other internal documents are accessible to department employees only. CALEA Public Comment Portal The APD participates in the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) to ensure we meet high professional standards. We invite you to provide feedback via the CALEA Public Comment Portal. Portal Guidelines What to Share: Commendations or concerns regarding our professional standards and community engagement. What Not to Share: Do not use this portal to report crimes or file legal complaints. CALEA does not investigate specific incidents of misconduct. Responses: You will receive an automated receipt; however, CALEA does not provide personal replies. Standards List: You may view the list of CALEA standards on their official website.
